Gold has always been a luxurious and elegant color, associated with wealth, sophistication and glamour. In recent years, gold tones and accents have become increasingly popular in kitchen design and decor. So is the warm metallic hue truly in style for today’s kitchens? Let’s explore the pros and cons of using gold in kitchen design.
The Rising Popularity of Gold in Kitchens
Gold kitchen accents and fixtures have been growing in popularity over the past decade. Whereas stark stainless steel and cool grays once dominated modern kitchen style, warmer metallics like brass, copper and gold have made a major comeback.
Homeowners and designers alike have embraced the glamorous glow and upscale aesthetic gold can bring to a kitchen space. Using gold finishes or accents is an easy way to create a more feminine, romantic or transitional kitchen style. Gold is also being combined with other on-trend kitchen elements like white and blue cabinetry, marble countertops, vintage-inspired tile and lighting.
Pros of Using Gold in Kitchen Design
So what’s fueling gold’s rising popularity in today’s kitchens? Here are some of the pros and advantages of using metallic gold tones and accents:
It creates an upscale, glamorous aesthetic
Gold immediately elevates the overall style of a kitchen, giving it a luxurious, glamorous feeling. The metallic shine adds subtle sparkle and richness. Gold is an inherently fancy, opulent color.
It provides a warm, welcoming glow
The warm, golden glow from gold fixtures, hardware or accents is both lively and welcoming. Gold adds a cozy ambiance that feels more friendly and inviting than stark metals like stainless steel.
It pairs well with current design trends
From brass fixtures to gold geometric tile, gold complements many of today’s popular kitchen design styles and elements like white cabinetry, marble, navy blues, vintage styling and mixed metallics.
It works with a variety of color schemes
Gold pairs beautifully with both cool tones like blues, grays and whites and warmer tones like tans, creams and black. Its versatility makes it easy to incorporate gold regardless of your color palette.
It offers vintage-inspired flair
Gold fell out of vogue in the 1990s and early 2000s kitchens, giving it a distinctly vintage charm. Gold accents can add a touch of retro flair to a contemporary kitchen.
It provides a unique alternative to stainless and nickel
Gold offers a unique, stylish alternative to more commonplace stainless steel or nickel finishes for faucets, lighting, hardware and appliances. It allows you to customize your look.
Potential Cons of Gold Kitchen Decor
However, there are also a few potential downsides to consider when using metallic gold in your kitchen design:
It has a bold presence
Because gold makes such a glamorous statement, it can easily feel overwhelming if overused in a kitchen. Gold is best used sparingly as accents versus the dominant element.
It shows wear and tear
Like any metallic finish, gold can show fingerprints, water spots and scratches over time. Fixtures and surfaces will require more frequent cleaning.
It’s a trending style
While gold has serious staying power as a classic color, the prevalence of gold hardware and accents could eventually feel dated. Keeping the rest of your kitchen design flexible makes it easier to update gold pieces later on.
It comes with a higher price tag
Gold costs more than chrome, nickel or oils rubbed bronze finishes. Gold kitchen hardware, faucets and lighting fixtures can have a significantly higher price point.
It pairs poorly with some colors
Gold tends to clash with very cool-toned palettes, like those with heavy black, silvers and grays. If you want to avoid a gaudy look, keep the gold accents minimal.
Is Gold Right for Your Kitchen?
So how do you decide if gold is a good fit for your own kitchen design? Here are a few key considerations as you weigh the pros and cons:
What’s your preferred style?
Gold works best for glamorous, romantic, vintage or mixed material kitchen styles. It contrasts well with both white contemporary and classic styling. Avoid gold if you want an ultra-modern minimalist look.
What’s your color scheme?
Make sure gold complements the cabinetry, countertops, tile, paint colors and other materials you want to use. Gold pops nicely against cool blues, grays and marbles but can look gaudy against blacks and silvers.
How much are you willing to spend?
If budget is a big concern, limit gold to smaller accent pieces versus pricier fixtures and hardware, as small touches go a long way.
Do you enjoy making a statement?
Gold is beautiful but bold, so it works best in kitchens belonging to homeowners who want showstopping style. If you prefer subtler, understated decor, use gold sparingly or pick more muted metals.
Will the look have longevity?
Gold has remained popular for centuries for good reason – it’s a timeless color that fits well in both traditional and contemporary spaces. So while gold accent kitchens are trending now, they aren’t likely to feel dated anytime soon, especially if kept simple and minimalistic.
Best Uses of Gold in Kitchens
Assuming gold fits your kitchen style and budget, here are some of the best and most popular ways to incorporate it:
Gold hardware
Update classic kitchen cabinetry with gold pulls, knobs or handles. Brass and champagne gold both pair beautifully with white, blue and gray kitchens.
Gold sinks and faucets
A gold sink and coordinating gold faucet create an eye-catching focal point. This works best for larger, luxury kitchens.
Gold light fixtures
From dramatic drum pendants to delicate single sconces, gold lighting lends a glamorous feel. Mix gold with other finishes like black wrought iron for extra dimension.
Gold tile or tile accents
Intricate gold Moroccan tiles make a serious style statement as a backsplash. For a subtler effect, use gold accents within a white, blue or marble tile design.
Gold barstools
Upholster barstools in a gold velvet or leather for a luxurious feel. Gilding the legs of simpler wood or acrylic stools offers a touch of glam as well.
Gold kitchen islands
A large gold kitchen island makes a bold but beautiful statement. Pair gold bases with white, gray or black marble countertops for lots of contrast.
Gold open shelving
Powder coated gold shelves or a simple gold pipe rack adds an industrial vibe. Style with white dishes for a more feminine look.
| Gold Kitchen Element | Price Range |
|---|---|
| Hardware/Fixtures | $50-$500+ |
| Faucets | $200-$1,000+ |
| Light Fixtures | $100-$2,000+ |
| Tile | $10-$50 per sq. ft. installed |
| Barstools | $80-$500+ each |
| Islands | $500-$5,000+ |
| Shelving | $100-$500+ |
As you can see, gold kitchen additions can range from relatively inexpensive to quite lavish. Focus on one or two statement gold pieces to control costs. Adding gold just to cabinet hardware offers affordable impact.
Conclusion
Gold may not be for every kitchen, but it undeniably makes a lavish, glamorous statement. The warm metallic tone feels simultaneously vintage and on-trend when used thoughtfully as accents in today’s kitchens. Just take care to avoid gaudiness by selecting gold fixtures and finishes that coordinate with your overall design scheme. If done right, gold can bring a touch of timeless luxury to your cooking space.
